Seed Availability

Seeds are not available for the Mexican Bay. Please visit our seed store to view current selections. Seeds were last available in June 2018.

Description

A small, evergreen tree growing to 15-20 feet. Leaves are leathery and elongated in shape, growing up to 3". They are distinct in having a blue-green coloration to their undersides. Flowers are small, white-green in color. Fruits are small, at most 1/2" across and ripen to a deep purple-black. There are supposedly a handful of varieties or variants of this species, though minimal attention seems to be given to propagating select types.

Hardiness

Hardy to short frosts. Minimum hardiness is not known.

Growing Environment

Grows well in full or filtered sun. Makes a good candidate for container culture.

Propagation

By seeds and cuttings.

Uses

The plant is used as a spice, notably as a substitute for bay (Laurus nobilis). Its culinary use is mainly confined to Mexico, where it has attained popularity in a number of regions there.

Native Range

Native to Southern Mexico, mainly Chiapas, Veracruz, Tepic, and Tamaulipas as well as parts of Central America.

Related Species

Lauraceae
	Cinnamomum zeylanicum Cinnamon		Litsea garciae Litsea
	Litsea glaucescens Mexican Bay		Persea americana Avocado